Speaking on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) while addressing the gathering, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Sarath Amunugama said while the world has done well in achieving many MDGs, the global community is still confronted with many challenges including reducing acute poverty, achieving sustainable economic development and facing the threat of climate change.

“MDGs are not about government, they are about people,” Dr. Amunugama said. “And when you talk about people, our main focus should be and will be on youth. The next set of MDGs will be concerning you.”

What countries do for their youth population will determine whether those countries will grow faster, socially and economically, Minister Amunugama added.

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka Mr. Subinay Nandy said the synergy of youth coming together with national leaders is very crucial in shaping the future world. As the driving force of any nation, you must help respective communities to face national and global challenges, he said.

Vice President of the European Youth Forum Lloyd Rusell-Moyle also spoke during the session about what needs to be addressed in the future to reach the ambitions that have not been reached thus far.

Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma and Chairman of the Junior Chamber International Dr. Shyan Baskaran were also present at the plenary.